Lift dolly for use in conjunction with stand-mounted power tools and the like

ABSTRACT

A lift dolly is provided for lifting and transporting stand-mounted power tools and the like, with little effort. The dolly includes a pair of platforms and a wheel system having at least three castors extending downwardly from the platforms. The dolly is designed such that one step onto a latching or locking mechanism by the operator causes the wheel system to be forced downward relative to the stand thereby slightly lifting the power tool and stand off of the ground and enabling transport of same via the castors. Another step on the locking or latching mechanism disengages the wheel system and permits gravity to return the stand and tool firmly to the ground for use.

This application is a Continuation-in-Part (CIP) of 08/795,409, filed onFeb. 5, 1997, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein byreference.

This invention relates to a lift dolly which is adapted to lift andtransport stand-mounted power tools, and the like. More particularly,this invention relates to such a lift dolly which permits the operatorto lift the tool to be transported by simply stepping onto afoot-receiving surface thereby forcing the dolly's wheel system downwardrelative to the tool and into a position for supporting and transportingthe stand-mounted tool.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Lift dollies are old and well-known in the art. Dollies have beenprovided which function to lift and move bulky machinery, plate glass,and the like. In such dollies, a hand actuated hydraulic jack typicallyraises and lowers forks for lifting the machinery after which the dollyand machinery may together be rolled along the floor/ground by way of apair of wheels mounted on the dolly.

Unfortunately, such dollies, while useful in transporting crates, plateglass, etc., are not adapted to lift and/or transport items such asstand-mounted power tools and the like due to the shape defined by legsof such stands.

In view of the above, it is apparent that there exists a need in the artfor a lift dolly capable of lifting and transporting, with littleeffort, stand-mounted objects, such as power tools. Preferably, such adolly should be simplistic, easy to use, and cost-effective tomanufacture.

It is a purpose of this invention to fulfill the is above-describedneeds in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally speaking, this invention fulfills the above-described needs inthe art by providing a lift dolly for lifting and transportingstand-mounted power tools and the like. In certain embodiments, thedolly includes a pair of rigid platforms and a wheel system having atleast three, and preferably four, castors extending downwardlytherefrom. The dolly is designed such that one step onto a footreceiving surface or member by the operator causes the wheel system tobe forced downward relative to the tool and its stand, and locked in atool-supporting position so as to slightly lift the power tool and standoff of the ground and enable transport of same. Another step by theoperator on the foot-receiving surface disengages (i.e.unlocks/unlatches) the wheel system and permits gravity to return thestand and tool to the ground for use.

This invention further fulfills the above-described needs in the art byproviding:

-   -   a dolly for selectively lifting and transporting a power tool        mounted on a stand, the dolly comprising:    -   a first platform including a wheel system (e.g. castors)        extending downwardly therefrom, and an actuation surface or        member for receiving downwardly applied pressure by an operator        in order to lift the stand and tool off of the ground;    -   a second platform including a wheel system extending downwardly        therefrom;    -   connection means for rigidly affixing the first platform to one        portion of the stand, and means for rigidly affixing the second        platform to another portion of the stand;    -   the actuation surface or member of the first platform being        located above at least a portion of the second platform; and    -   lift means for lifting the stand and power tool off of the        ground and enabling transport of same via the wheels, the lift        means including a selectively actuated coupling means (e.g.        latch) for selectively coupling the first and second platforms,        and being actuated in response to pressure applied downwardly        onto the actuation surface or member that forces the wheels        downward so that the wheels, as opposed to the stand, support        the power tool on the ground.

IN THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the lift dolly according to anembodiment of this invention, in its locked/lifting position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 dolly in itsunlocked/lowering position.

FIG. 3 is a right side elevational view of the dolly of FIGS. 1-2mounted to a stand which supports a table saw, the dolly beingillustrated in the unlocked position where the stand solely supports thesaw.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary right side elevational view of the dolly ofFIGS. 1-3 mounted to the table saw stand of FIG. 3, the dollyillustrated in the locked position where the table saw and stand aresupported on the ground by the wheels so as to enable transport.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the FIG. 1-4 dolly mounted to thestand, illustrating the dolly in its unlocked position where the standcontacts the ground.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the FIG. 1-5 dollymounted to the stand, illustrating the dolly in its locked and liftingposition where the stand is lifted from the ground and the stand and saware supported on the ground primarily by the wheels.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the latching/locking system used toconnect the first and second dolly platforms of FIGS. 1-6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a dolly according to another embodimentof this invention.

FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of part of the FIG. 7 latchingmechanism, illustrating the attachment of the biasing spring to the malelatch member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THIS INVENTION

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings in whichlike reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the severalviews.

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, it is seen that the lift dolly of the presentinvention, generally denoted by reference numeral 10, includes firstrigid platform 12 having proximal end 14 and distal end 16 and secondrigid platform 18 having proximal end 20 and distal end 22. Firstplatform 12 includes generally flat, triangular, and trapezoidal frameportion 24, including rigid elongated members 3-5, that may be open (asillustrated) or closed (e.g. a solid or quasi-solid metal sheet or thelike). The wheel system of first platform 12 may include, for example, afirst pair of castor stems 28, each having a castor 30 thereon, whichextend downwardly from frame 24 proximate distal end 16 of platform 12.Alternatively, other types of known wheels may be used in place ofcastors 30 to support lift dolly 10.

For example, the wheel system of each platform may simply include asingle elongated rotating cylinder [instead of the illustrated castors],so that only two wheels are provided on the entire device. It should benoted, however, that according to this cylinder-inclusive embodiment,the dolly would only be mobile in one direction as opposed to alldirections [this is, of course, acceptable in certain embodiments ofthis invention].

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 7, and 9, platform 12 further includes, as partof the latching mechanism, foot receiving surface or pedal 25 mounted ontop of respective ends of members 3 and 4, downwardly extending maleportion 48 of the latching mechanism that is pivotally mounted belowsurface 25, mounting member 47 affixed to one of members 3 or 4 (or toplate 25), and pivot axis 49 about which male portion 48 pivots relativeto mounting member 47.

Second platform 18 is smaller in size than platform 12, and includesgenerally flat, triangular, and trapezoidal frame portion 32, thatincludes rigid elongated members 6-9. Frame 32 may be open (asillustrated) or closed. A second pair of castor stems 34, each having acastor 30 thereon, extend downwardly from frame 32 proximate distal end22 and crossbar 9 thereof.

Platform 18 further includes, as part of the latch/lock assembly, rigidU-shaped member 50 that projects from the inner vertical surface ofcrossbar 9, vertically extending projection or cam surface 51 thatextends from the upper horizontal surface of crossbar 9, latchingaperture or void 52 (see FIG. 7) defined in the bottom surface ofU-shaped member 50, and locking crossbar 59 which locks the latchingmechanism by fitting into cutout or notch 58 of male member 48. Althoughthe cam surface is defined by projection 51 in the illustratedembodiments, this surface may be defined by other portions of platform18 or the female portion of the latching mechanism.

With regard to platforms 12, 18, and frames 24, 32 thereof, theplatforms illustrated in FIGS. 1-8 are open (i.e. they are made up ofthe frame, which includes a plurality of rigid members connected to oneanother at corners of the frame). However, it will be appreciated bythose of skill in the art that platforms 12 and 18 (as well as frames 24and 32) may be of any of a number of different shapes or designs,provided that the essential function of the dolly is not compromised.For example, each platform may be made up of a planar or arced sheet ofrigid material (e.g. sheet metal) that is void of any elongated framemembers. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the illustrated anddiscussed latching mechanism is exemplary and the invention is notlimited thereto. Other known latching mechanisms which permit selectiveattachment of the platforms may instead be used.

Mounting members (or anchor plates) 38 are attached to the four cornersof dolly 10 for the purpose of affixing the dolly to the four legs ofthe stand 55 which supports an item such as power tool 57 (e.g. tablesaw). Other power tools such as drills, lathes, etc. may also be mountedon stand 55, as may objects other than power tools. For example, it hasfurther been found that the dolly 10 can be advantageously used inconnection with or built into a wide variety of other devices such astables, workbenches, medical equipment, chairs, engine lifts, filingcabinets, copiers and other office equipment to facilitate liftingand/or transport thereof. Each mounting member 38 is pivotally attachedto the corresponding platform and/or frame and is rotatable about avertical axis so that the platforms may be mounted to different sides oflegs of different sized stands 55.

In order to utilize lift dolly 10 to perform its intended function,first platform 12 is positioned proximate an object 55, 57 (e.g.stand-mounted power tool) to be lifted. Each mounting member or anchorplate 38 is secured to a different leg of object 55, 57. This securementcan be accomplished in any appropriate fashion, including insertion ofbolts attached to plates 38 through corresponding apertures defined inthe legs of stand 55.

Once anchor plates 38 of platform 12 are secured to object 55, 57, theweight of the object causes first platform 12 to be oriented so thatcastors 30 merely rest on the ground without supporting the object (i.e.while the wheels 30 may touch the ground or be slightly raisedtherefrom, the stand may not be moved as the legs are the primary toolsupport, and use of the tool is unaffected). See FIG. 3.

Second platform 18 is secured to the other end of object 55, 57 to belifted in a similar fashion to the securement of first platform 12 toobject 55, 57 (i.e. platform 12 is attached to first and second legs ofstand 55, while platform 18 is attached to third and fourth legs of thestand). When second platform 18 is secured, it is oriented with itsproximal end 20 terminating beneath first platform 12. See FIG. 3.

In order to lift object 55, 57 off of the ground in order to move it viathe dolly, downward pressure is exerted by an operator or user(preferably by the foot of the operator) on foot-receiving surface orplatform 25 proximate end 14 of frame 24. When end 14 of platform 12 ispressed downward, spring-biased male portion 48 is inserted throughaperture 52 (see FIG. 7) of the latch's female portion, with thespring-bias then causing the latching mechanism to lock the twoplatforms 12 and 18 together as cutout or notch 58 in male 48 receiveslocking member or crossbar 59 due to the biasing of male 48 towardlocking member 59 by spring 71 (see FIG. 9).

When crossbar 59 is locked in notch 58, castors 30 of both platformshave been forced downward and are held there contacting the ground in asupporting manner as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, thereby lifting stand 55and tool 57 off of the ground so that they can be wheeled across theground and transported. As discussed, when rigid platform 12 is forceddownward by the operator, elongated members 3 and 4 engage end 20 andcrossbar 8 of second platform 18 thereby causing downward movement offrame 32 relative to the stand, and thus castors 30 of platform 18 alsobecome supportive of the stand and tool as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. Whenthe first and second platforms are generally horizontal (e.g. see FIGS.4 and 6), the stand and tool are lifted off of the ground by all fourwheels or castors and are ready for lateral transport on the ground.

It is noted that the first pair of castor stems 28 may be longer thanthe second pair of castor stems 34 in order to assure level positioningof dolly 10, or alternatively one or both of frames 24 and 32 may bebent or curved to accomplish the same result.

In certain embodiments, platforms 12 and 18 are not secured to oneanother in any fashion, except via the legs of the stand, and by latchmechanism 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, and 59 when it is locked. Thus, whendolly 10 is in its passive or non-lifting position (see FIGS. 2, 3, and5), the two platforms are not directly connected together in certainembodiments, although the bottom surfaces of members 3 and 4 rest uponthe top of crossbar 8 of platform 18, and the legs of stand 55indirectly couple the platforms.

When the operator presses down on surface 25, male 48 becomes lockedwithin the female portion 50, 52, 59 of the latch mechanism therebylocking the wheels or castors in their supporting position and, at thesame time, coupling the two platforms (see FIGS. 7 and 9 for a detailedview of the latch mechanism). When the wheels are in a supportiveposition and the latch is locked thereby coupling the platformstogether, stand 55 and tool 57 may be rolled along the ground andtransported.

In certain alternative embodiments, platforms 12 and 18 may be attachedto one another at a location in addition to the latching mechanism (e.g.at bar 8). However, regardless of whether the platforms are additionallyattached, they are to be selectively coupled via the latching mechanism.

FIG. 9 illustrates the attachment of biasing spring 71 to mountingmember 47 and male member 48 of the latching mechanism. Pins 72 areprovided for attaching spring 71 to these members so that spring 71biases member 48 toward crossbar 59 when the center of gravity of member48 is on the crossbar 59 side of axis 63, and away from crossbar 59 whenthe center of gravity of the male member is on the other side of axis63.

Referring to FIG. 7, when it is desired to lower the stand and tool fromits lifted position, the operator simply steps on surface 25 in order torelease the latch and allow gravity to lower the stand and tool to theground for use. When the operator steps on surface 25 when the latch islocked, male portion 48 is caused to move further downward throughaperture 52 in a manner so that upwardly angled surface 61 of member 48slides along the inner surface of crossbar 59. The sliding of angledsurface 61 of member 48 along crossbar 59 causes male member 48 to pivotabout axis 49 in a direction away from crossbar 59 and to the oppositeside of axis 63 that extends through each of members 47 and 48 and axis49.

When male member 48 reaches the other side of axis 63, the spring causesmember 48 to be biased in the opposite pivotal direction (i.e. away fromcrossbar 59 as viewed in FIG. 7) so that when the operator lifts his/herfoot off of surface 25, stand 55 falls to the ground as male member 48moves upwardly through aperture 52 and is biased away from crossbar 59.On its way upward away from aperture 52 and crossbar 59 during therelease/unlocking process, the side of member 48 opposite cutout 58contacts projection (or cam surface) 51 which causes member 48 to moveback to the crossbar 59 side of axis 63 so that when male member 48 isagain pressed downward through aperture 52, the spring will bias member48 toward crossbar 59 which will come to rest within cutout 58 therebylocking together the platforms of the dolly with the stand and tool inthe raised or lifted position.

FIG. 8 illustrates dolly 10 according to another embodiment of thisinvention. This embodiment is different than the previously describedembodiment(s) in that anchor plates 38 are replaced with crossbarmembers 81 and 82 which are part of frames 24 and 32, respectively. Thetwo platforms are attached to the four legs of stand 55 by way ofcrossbars 81-82, and the mounting apertures 83 defined therein. Boltsare fed through apertures 83 and the stand legs in order to mount thedolly to the stand. Furthermore, all other elongated members (3, 4, 6,7, and 8) of the frames or platforms are telescopic in this embodimentin order to allow the dolly to mount onto different sized stands 55 andtools 57. Thus, these telescopic elongated members each include an innerelongated member and an outer elongated member which are axiallyadjustable relative to one another in order to alter the lengths ofmembers 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8.

Once given the above disclosure, therefore, various other modifications,features, or improvements will become apparent to the skilled artisan.Such other features, modifications, and improvements are thus consideredto be a part of this invention, the scope of which is to be determinedby the following claims.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A dolly for selectively lifting and transporting adevice mounted on a stand, the dolly comprising: a first platformcomprising a first end adapted to be secured to a stand, a second end,and a connecting member extending between said first end and said secondend, said first platform including a first wheel system; a secondplatform comprising a first end adapted to be secured to the stand, asecond end, and a connecting member extending between said first end andsaid second end of said second platform, said second platform includinga second wheel system; an actuation portion operatively associated withsaid first and second platforms for reversibly moving said first andsecond platforms relative to one another between a lowering position anda locked lifting position; and a latch mechanism for locking said firstand second platforms in the lifting position, wherein a firstapplication of downward pressure to said actuation portion automaticallyshifts said first and second platforms from the lowering position to thelocked lifting position, in which said first and second wheel systemsare placed in contact with the ground and the stand is raised in spacedrelation to the ground, and wherein a subsequent second application ofdownward pressure to said actuation portion automatically shifts saidfirst and second platforms from the locked lifting position into thelowering position, in which the stand rests on the ground and supportssaid first and second wheel systems in spaced relation to the ground.22. The dolly of claim 21, wherein said first and second wheel systemscollective comprise at least three wheels.
 23. The dolly of claim 21,wherein subsequent to the second application of downward pressure,gravity causes said first and second platforms to automatically shiftfrom the lifting position to the lowering position.
 24. The dolly ofclaim 21, wherein said actuation portion comprises a foot-receivingpedal.
 25. The dolly of claim 24, wherein said first platform isslidable over said second platform between the lowering and liftingpositions, and wherein said foot-receiving pedal is associated with saidfirst platform.
 26. The dolly of claim 25, wherein said foot-receivingpedal is rigidly fixed against rotational and translational movementwith respect to said first platform.
 27. The dolly of claim 21, whereinsaid connecting member of said first platform comprises said actuationportion.
 28. The dolly of claim 21, further comprising: first and secondmounting members pivotally connected to said first platform andattachable to corresponding first and second legs of the stand; andthird and fourth mounting members pivotally connected to said secondplatform and attachable to corresponding third and fourth legs of thestand.
 29. The dolly of claim 21, wherein said latch mechanism compriseslatching means.
 30. An assembly comprising: a stand; a device mounted onsaid stand; and a dolly for selectively lifting and transporting saiddevice mounted on said stand, said dolly comprising a first platformcomprising a first end adapted to be secured to said stand, a secondend, and a connecting member extending between said first end and saidsecond end, said first platform including a first wheel system; a secondplatform comprising a first end adapted to be secured to said stand, asecond end, and a connecting member extending between said first end andsaid second end of said second platform, said second platform includinga second wheel system; an actuation portion operatively associated withsaid first and second platforms for reversibly moving said first andsecond platforms relative to one another between a lowering position anda locked lifting position; and a latch mechanism for locking said firstand second platforms in the lifting position, wherein a firstapplication of downward pressure to said actuation portion automaticallyshifts said first and second platforms from the lowering position to thelocked lifting position, in which said first and second wheel systemsare placed in contact with the ground and said stand is raised in spacedrelation to the ground, and wherein a subsequent second application ofdownward pressure to said actuation portion automatically shifts saidfirst and second platforms from the locked lifting position into thelowering position, in which said stand rests on the ground and supportssaid first and second wheel systems in spaced relation to the ground.31. The assembly of claim 30, wherein said first and second wheelsystems collective comprise at least three wheels.
 32. The assembly ofclaim 30, wherein subsequent to the second application of downwardpressure, gravity causes said first and second platforms toautomatically shift from the lifting position to the lowering position.33. The assembly of claim 30, wherein said actuation portion comprises afoot-receiving pedal.
 34. The assembly of claim 33, wherein said firstplatform is slidable over said second platform between the lowering andlifting positions, and wherein said foot-receiving pedal is associatedwith said first platform.
 35. The assembly of claim 34, wherein saidfoot-receiving pedal is rigidly fixed against rotational andtranslational movement with respect to said first platform.
 36. Theassembly of claim 30, wherein said connecting member of said firstplatform comprises said actuation portion.
 37. The assembly of claim 30,wherein said dolly further comprises: first and second mounting memberspivotally connected to said first platform and attachable tocorresponding first and second legs of said stand; and third and fourthmounting members pivotally connected to said second platform andattachable to corresponding third and fourth legs of said stand.
 38. Theassembly of claim 30, wherein said latch mechanism comprises latchingmeans.
 39. The assembly of claim 30, wherein said device comprises apower tool.